High School Acceptance with learning disability

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much for all of the replies. My child is a current 8th grader so we are applying to private schools now for next year. Public school offers very little support even with an IEP but I'm trying to set expectations as to whether a traditional private school with supports is even an option for students who are currently below grade level and/or don't do well on the HSPT so these replies have been helpful.

The short answer is no. They have far more applicants than they have available seats, so they have no reason to accept a student I'm who is below grade level. They might consider a student who is on grade level with limited supports. Might.

I would seriously consider looking a specialized schools that serve your child's learning disability if private is the route you want to take. Even those often have a cut off for just how far below grade level they will accept students, often no more than a year or two.

My understanding is that Chelsea and Lab don't have a cut off re below grade level, and McLean and Siena only accept kids a max of 2 grade levels behind. This usually refers to their reading level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much for all of the replies. My child is a current 8th grader so we are applying to private schools now for next year. Public school offers very little support even with an IEP but I'm trying to set expectations as to whether a traditional private school with supports is even an option for students who are currently below grade level and/or don't do well on the HSPT so these replies have been helpful.

The short answer is no. They have far more applicants than they have available seats, so they have no reason to accept a student I'm who is below grade level. They might consider a student who is on grade level with limited supports. Might.

I would seriously consider looking a specialized schools that serve your child's learning disability if private is the route you want to take. Even those often have a cut off for just how far below grade level they will accept students, often no more than a year or two.

If you are okay with them continuing to perform under grade level…. Maybe? But mainstream privates don’t do remediation.

[Anonymous]

If you are wanting guaranteed support, I would consider LAB or McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much for all of the replies. My child is a current 8th grader so we are applying to private schools now for next year. Public school offers very little support even with an IEP but I'm trying to set expectations as to whether a traditional private school with supports is even an option for students who are currently below grade level and/or don't do well on the HSPT so these replies have been helpful.

You will need to start moving now to get testing done for schools that focus on learning differences--look at the admissions websites and start contacting testing providers. CAAT is one. The McLean school has a list of testing providers on their website. Expect to pay at least 3k for testing, and you'll need the final report to submit before admissions deadlines. The testing will also give you a better sense of whether a mainstream private would be doable or if one for learning differences would be a better fit.

I’m not sure you would need new testing now if your child has an IEP in place. But important to get moving now and contacting schools. If you’re thinking of HSPT scores then you’re looking at Catholic schools? You may want to ask about specific ones here for more guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are wanting guaranteed support, I would consider LAB or McLean.

McLean has been amazing for my child. They were in a traditional private before and were really struggling as the schools support was geared more towards kids who just had ADHD. At McLean, they are happy to go to school, do not complain about homework and their grades are so much better as McLean teaches in way that they can understand. It has been a drastic change in my child for the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much for all of the replies. My child is a current 8th grader so we are applying to private schools now for next year. Public school offers very little support even with an IEP but I'm trying to set expectations as to whether a traditional private school with supports is even an option for students who are currently below grade level and/or don't do well on the HSPT so these replies have been helpful.

You will need to start moving now to get testing done for schools that focus on learning differences--look at the admissions websites and start contacting testing providers. CAAT is one. The McLean school has a list of testing providers on their website. Expect to pay at least 3k for testing, and you'll need the final report to submit before admissions deadlines. The testing will also give you a better sense of whether a mainstream private would be doable or if one for learning differences would be a better fit.

I’m not sure you would need new testing now if your child has an IEP in place. But important to get moving now and contacting schools. If you’re thinking of HSPT scores then you’re looking at Catholic schools? You may want to ask about specific ones here for more guidance.

Schools like Chelsea, Lab, and McLean require psycho-educational testing to have been completed in the last year or two (cut off varies by school). It's all spelled out on their admissions websites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely apply to Lab.

Nope.